Fluid jetting apparatus

Abstract

A fluid jetting nozzle includes a nozzle head and at least one jetting orifice in the nozzle head, the jetting orifice(s) being capable of ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid to loosen obstructive material from a metallic surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A nozzle assembly for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid abrasive particles and fluid, the nozzle assembly having a central axis and being associated with a mixture delivery tubing comprising: 
       a connector member connectable with the mixture delivery tubing,  
       a nozzle head member having a plurality of nozzle jets, at least two of said nozzle jets disposed at angles of between approximately 80 degrees and approximately 100 degrees relative to the central axis of the nozzle assembly, and  
       a gauge ring member disposed between said connector member and said nozzle head member.  
     
     
       2. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  further including a plurality of nozzle jet inserts matable with a plurality of recesses in said nozzle head member. 
     
     
       3. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  wherein at least one of said nozzle jets is disposed in the nozzle assembly at an angle of approximately 0 degrees relative to the central axis of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
       4. The nozzle assembly of claim  3  wherein at least one of said nozzle jets is disposed in the nozzle assembly at an angle of between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
       5. The nozzle assembly of claim  3  wherein at least two of said nozzle jets are disposed in the nozzle assembly at angles of between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 20 degrees relative to the central axis of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
       6. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  further comprising a plurality of nozzle assembly sections, each said nozzle assembly section having a diameter different than the diameter of adjacent said nozzle assembly sections and wherein at least one said nozzle jet is disposed in each said nozzle assembly section. 
     
     
       7. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  wherein said gauge ring includes at least one wide portion and at least one external fluid flow passageway, said at least one wide portion and said at least one external fluid flow passageway disposed between said nozzle jets and the mixture delivery tubing. 
     
     
       8. The nozzle assembly of claim  7  wherein said gauge ring includes a plurality of wide portions, each said wide portion having an outer bearing surface, said plurality of outer bearing surfaces extending around the circumference of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
       9. The nozzle assembly of claim  7  wherein said at least one wide portion is proximate to at least two of said nozzle jets. 
     
     
       10. The nozzle assembly of claim  7  wherein said gauge ring includes first and second sets of wide portions, said second set of wide portions disposed between said first set of wide portions and said plurality of nozzle jets and being at least partially offset on the circumference of the nozzle assembly relative to said first set of wide portions. 
     
     
       11. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  wherein the nozzle assembly is disposed in a conduit, further comprising a fishing tool connection portion, wherein said fishing tool connection portion is capable of being engaged by a fishing tool latch mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The nozzle assembly of claim  11  wherein said fishing tool connection portion includes a recess capable of receiving a fishing tool latching mechanism. 
     
     
       13. The nozzle assembly of claim  1  further including a filter capable of preventing clogging of said nozzle jets from particles carried in the mixture. 
     
     
       14. The nozzle assembly of claim  13  wherein said filter is disposed at least partially in the mixture delivery tubing. 
     
     
       15. A fluid jetting apparatus capable of ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid, the apparatus having a central axis and being connectable with a carrier, the apparatus comprising: 
       a nozzle head,  
       at least one nozzle jet disposed in said nozzle head for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid, and  
       at least one gauge portion disposed between said nozzle head and the carrier when the fluid jetting apparatus is connected with the carrier, said at least one gauge portion extending radially front the central axis of the fluid jetting apparatus farther than said nozzle head.  
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim  15  wherein at least one said nozzle jet is disposed at an angle of between approximately 80 degrees and approximately 100 degrees relative to the central axis of the apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim  16  wherein at least two said nozzle jets are disposed at angles of approximately 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the apparatus and at least two said nozzle jets are disposed at angles of approximately 15 degrees relative to the central axis of the apparatus. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim  15  wherein at least first and second said nozzle jets are disposed at different radial distances from the central axis of the apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim  15  wherein the fluid jetting apparatus is useful for loosening obstructive material adhered to the interior metallic surface of a conduit. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim  19  wherein the standoff distance between at least one said nozzle jet and the interior metallic surface of the conduit is minimal. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim  19  wherein at least one said gauge portion is capable of detecting obstructive material disposed on the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim  21  wherein at least one said nozzle jet is positioned to discharge mixture against the interior surface of the conduit immediately below at least one said gauge portion. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim  21  wherein at least one said gauge portion is capable of ensuring the existence of an axial passageway within the conduit that is at least substantially clear of obstructive material adhered to the interior metallic surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim  21  wherein the positioning of the at least one said gauge portion positions at least one said nozzle jet within the conduit to loosen obstructive material detected by the at least one said gauge portion. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim  24  wherein the apparatus is axially moveable within the conduit in forward and rearward directions, whereby when at least one said gauge portion detects obstructive material disposed upon the interior surface of the conduit while the apparatus is moving forward within the conduit, said at least one gauge portion is capable of preventing further forward axial movement of the apparatus until at least part of the detected obstructive material is removed from the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim  19  wherein at least one said gauge portion has at least one opening to allow fluid to pass through said at least one gauge portion. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim  26  wherein the conduit is an underground oil field tubular. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim  26  wherein the conduit is a fluid pipeline. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim  19  wherein the fluid jetting apparatus is capable of ejecting the mixture to loosen obstructive material from the interior surface of the conduit without substantially damaging the conduit. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim  29  wherein the apparatus is capable of removing obstructive material around the entire circumference of the conduit without rotating the nozzle head. 
     
     
       31. A nozzle useful for loosening obstructive material from the interior surface of a conduit, the nozzle having a central axis and comprising: 
       a nozzle head,  
       at least one jetting orifice in said nozzle head, at least one of said at least one jetting orifice for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid, and  
       at least one wide section capable of positioning at least one said jetting orifice within the conduit to loosen obstructive material disposed upon the interior surface of the conduit.  
     
     
       32. The nozzle of claim  31  further including at least one opening to allow fluid to pass by the nozzle. 
     
     
       33. The nozzle of claim  32  wherein at least one said wide section extends radially from the central axis of the nozzle farther than said nozzle head, and wherein at least one said jetting orifice is positioned to discharge the mixture against the interior surface of the conduit immediately below at least one said wide section. 
     
     
       34. The nozzle of claim  32  wherein the conduit is a fluid flowline. 
     
     
       35. The nozzle of claim  31  wherein the conduit is an underground oilfield tubular, and wherein the nozzle is deployed on coiled tubing and ejects a mixture including substantially spherically shaped solid particles to loosen obstructive material from the interior surface of the conduit without substantially damaging the interior surface. 
     
     
       36. The nozzle of claim  35  wherein at least one said jetting orifice discharges mixture at an optimal angle for fracturing obstructive material disposed upon the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       37. A fluid jetting apparatus useful for removing obstructive material from the interior surface of a conduit, the apparatus having a central axis and comprising: 
       a nozzle head,  
       at least one jetting orifice in said nozzle head for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid, and  
       at least one wide section capable of detecting obstructive material disposed upon the interior surface of the conduit and ensuring the clearance of an axial passageway within the conduit that is at least substantially absent obstructive material adhered to the interior surface of the conduit.  
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim  37  wherein the diameter of the axial passageway is approximately equal to the largest outer diameter of at least one said wide section. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim  38  wherein the apparatus is capable of ejecting a mixture including substantially spherically shaped solid particles to loosen obstructive material from the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim  39  further including between approximately four and approximately eight said jetting orifices disposed at angles of approximately 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the apparatus. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim  39  wherein the apparatus is capable of ejecting a mixture including substantially spherically shaped solid particles to loosen obstructive material from the interior surface of the conduit without substantially damaging the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       42. A fluid jetting nozzle useful in an oilfield tubular having an interior metallic surface, the fluid jetting nozzle comprising: 
       a nozzle heads and  
       at least one jetting orifice in said nozzle head, said at least one jetting orifice for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles to loosen obstructive material from the interior metallic surface.  
     
     
       43. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  42  wherein said at least one jetting orifice ejects the mixture to loosen obstructive material from the metallic surface without substantially damaging the metallic surface. 
     
     
       44. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  43  wherein the metallic surface is the interior surface of a conduit. 
     
     
       45. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  44  wherein the fluid jetting nozzle has a central axis, and wherein at least three said jetting orifices are disposed in said nozzle head at angles of between approximately 80 degrees and approximately 100 degrees relative to the central axis of the fluid jetting nozzle. 
     
     
       46. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  44  wherein the fluid jetting nozzle has a central axis and further including between approximately four and approximately eight said jetting orifices disposed in said nozzle head at angles of approximately 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the fluid jetting nozzle. 
     
     
       47. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  44  further including at least one gauge portion having a plurality of wide portions and a plurality of fluid passageways, each said fluid passageway being offset from at least one other said fluid passageway, and each said fluid passageway being in fluid communication with at least one other said fluid passageway. 
     
     
       48. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  44  wherein at least one said gauge portion includes at least first and second sets of wide portions, each said wide portion having an outer bearing surface, said plurality of outer bearing surfaces extending around the circumference of the fluid jetting nozzle, and wherein said first set of wide portions is offset relative to said second set of wide portions. 
     
     
       49. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  44  further including at least one gauge portion that detects obstructive material disposed upon the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
       50. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  43  wherein said nozzle head includes a plurality of jetting orifice inserts matable with a plurality of recesses. 
     
     
       51. The fluid jetting nozzle of claim  42  further including a plurality of adjacent nozzle sections, the diameter of each said nozzle section differing from the diameter of at least one adjacent said nozzle section, and wherein at least one said jetting orifice is disposed in each said nozzle section. 
     
     
       52. A nozzle for removing obstructive material from a metallic surface in an oilfield tubular without substantially damaging the metallic surface, the nozzle having a central axis and comprising: 
       a nozzle head, and  
       a plurality of nozzle jets, at least two said nozzle jets disposed at angles of approximately 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the nozzle for ejecting a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles and fluid.  
     
     
       53. The nozzle of claim  52  wherein the nozzle ejects a mixture including substantially spherical solids to remove obstructive material from the metallic surface. 
     
     
       54. An apparatus useful for removing obstructive material from an interior metallic surface of a conduit with the use of a mixture including substantially spherically shaped solid particles, the conduit disposed at least partially underground, the apparatus having a central axis and being insertable into an opening in the conduit, the apparatus comprising: 
       means for ejecting the mixture against obstructive material adhered to the interior metallic surface of the conduit to loosen at least some of the obstructive material from the surface to allow passage of the apparatus thereby without substantially damaging the metallic surface,  
       downhole means for positioning said means for ejecting the mixture, and  
       means for allowing the flow of ejected mixture and removed obstructive material through the conduit to the conduit opening.  
     
     
       55. A method of cleaning an interior metallic surface of a conduit, the method comprising: 
       supplying a mixture that includes substantially spherically shaped solid particles to a jet cleaning apparatus, the apparatus having at least one jetting orifice,  
       positioning at least one jetting orifice of the jet cleaning apparatus proximate to obstructive material adhered to the interior metallic surface, and  
       ejecting the mixture from the jet cleaning apparatus through at least one jetting orifice against the obstructive material to loosen obstructive material from the surface without substantially damaging the surface.  
     
     
       56. The method of claim  55  wherein the jet cleaning apparatus includes at least one wide portion, the method further comprising including moving the jet cleaning apparatus through the conduit to allow the at least one wide portion to detect the presence and location of obstructive material adhered to the interior metallic surface.